The Story of Medieval England: From King Arthur to the Tudor Conquest is a comprehensive book written by Jennifer Paxton, a professor of history at The Catholic University of America. The book is part of The Great Courses series, which offers in-depth educational material on various subjects.

In this book, Paxton takes readers on a journey through the medieval period in England, starting with the legendary King Arthur and ending with the Tudor conquest. She explores the political, social, and cultural developments that shaped medieval England over the course of several centuries.

The book begins by delving into the mythical origins of England with the story of King Arthur. Paxton examines the legends surrounding Arthur and discusses their historical context. She then moves on to the early medieval period, known as the Dark Ages, and explores the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms that emerged after the fall of Roman Britain.

Paxton provides an overview of the Anglo-Saxon society, including its political structure, religious beliefs, and cultural practices. She discusses key figures such as Alfred the Great and examines their contributions to the development of England during this time.

The narrative then shifts to the Norman Conquest in 1066 when William the Conqueror invaded England and established Norman rule. Paxton explores the impact of this event on English society, including changes in governance, language, and culture. She also discusses the famous Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the events leading up to and following the conquest.

Throughout the book, Paxton highlights significant events and individuals that shaped medieval England. She covers topics such as the Crusades, Magna Carta, and the Black Death. Additionally, she provides insights into daily life during this period, including aspects such as feudalism, chivalry, and religious practices.

Paxton also examines the role of women in medieval England, shedding light on their contributions to society despite societal limitations. She discusses notable women such as Eleanor of Aquitaine and Joan of Arc, who challenged traditional gender roles and left a lasting impact on history.

The book concludes with the Tudor conquest, which marked the end of the medieval period in England. Paxton explores the rise of the Tudor dynasty, focusing on key figures such as Henry VII and Henry VIII. She discusses the political and religious changes that occurred during this time, including the English Reformation.

In summary, The Story of Medieval England: From King Arthur to the Tudor Conquest provides a comprehensive overview of medieval England, covering its mythical origins, political developments, cultural practices, and significant historical events. Jennifer Paxton’s expertise in medieval history shines through in this book, making it an excellent resource for anyone interested in delving into the fascinating world of medieval England.

• The Story of Medieval England: From King Arthur to the Tudor Conquest

• By: Jennifer Paxton, The Great Courses
• Narrated by: Jennifer Paxton

These 36 lectures tell the remarkable story of a tumultuous millennial period in British history. Dominated by war, conquest, and struggle to balance the stability afforded by royal power with the rights of the ruled, it was a period that laid the groundwork for much of the world as we know it. Nowadays. As you go through much of this chronological story – sometimes interrupted to explore specific themes during a lengthy lecture – you’ll see key themes emerge, including the assimilation of successive waves of invasions, strained relations between kings and nobility, and incessant battles over money and taxes. And because much of history is driven by specific individuals and not just historical circumstances, each lecture is filled with intimate portraits that reveal those individuals at key moments in their destiny. their histories, including Alfred the Great, William the Conqueror, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and John Wycliffe. The result is a series of lectures that are not only informative but deeply entertaining, with each lecture engaging you with its particular passions, including an exploratory look at the scope of the Black Death, a fact check on the legends of both King Arthur and Robin Hood, a compelling description of the Battle of Bosworth Field, and a discussion of the surprisingly nuanced punishments of the original German law.

These lectures always bring a new level of understanding about medieval England, its rulers and subjects, and their importance to the world we live in today. The series of themes and events that link our world to theirs has never been clearer, worthy of every moment you spend in this series.

This is one of the best Great Courses history courses I have taken so far. Enthusiastic and knowledgeable professor. The difference between a good history professor and a great history professor is the ability to turn history into a story. This professor is excellent at turning history into a story. I learned a lot about both the history and politics of the times and felt more educated about the early history of England.

In the middle of this series of lectures by Jennifer Paxton, I decided that even though we’ve been married for 51 years, it’s time to go somewhere new. Professor Paxton has a wonderful voice, an incredible grasp of the subject matter, and an awareness of her audience that few faculty members have. I’ve been an English history buff for sixty years, but her level of understanding and the way she connects key events makes listening to two or three lectures in a row a must. which was not very nice because I was listening while wandering while listening. A lecture about four miles long. Three lectures almost killed me.

Engaging content from an engaging instructor. This course is like a novel with chapters rather than a series of half-hour lectures. Hats off to Jennifer Paxton for organizing and delivering the material in such an entertaining form!

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